INEC's Amupitan Addresses AI's Role in 2027 Elections

Amupitan, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), delivered a keynote address on October 14 at the Artificial Intelligence and Democracy Forum organized by Yiaga Africa in Abuja. He asserted that artificial intelligence (AI) could influence the information available to voters and shape their political choices, but emphasized that algorithms must not decide the 2027 elections.

He stated that the choice of leadership belongs exclusively to the Nigerian people. Amupitan warned against underestimating AI's influence, noting it could affect the information environment, election logistics, and political strategies.

He identified threats such as deepfakes, disinformation, and cyberattacks that could undermine electoral credibility. He highlighted the potential for AI to mislead voters through false announcements and targeted political messages.

To combat these threats, INEC is developing a digital strategy and partnering with technology platforms to monitor information and debunk false content related to elections.